BARBEL. 20 



with me, alternately putting worms and gen- 

 tles, or graves and a worm, on the hook to- 

 gether, as they sometimes want much entice- 

 ment. Never omit trying a worm in the 

 evening. 



The Barbel bites very sharp and sudden, 

 you must strike the instant and smartly, im- 

 mediately raise the top of your rod, let him 

 run some considerable distance before you 

 attempt to turn him, then endeavour to keep 

 your fish away from the shelves and beds of 

 weeds, take him from the current into deep and 

 still water as soon as possible, and play him 

 till he has quite lost his strength before you 

 attempt to land him. 



Before you begin to angle for Barbel, throw 

 in plenty of ground bait (you can hardly give 

 them too much), and continue to do so fre- 

 quently while fishing for them : the best 

 ground bait is made with soaked graves and 

 clay, mixed together, in balls the size of aa 



